sac-like herniations, a condition which is referred to as diverticulosis. While relatively asymptomatic, this can progress to diverticulitis, a painful condition which may progress to perforation, acute bleeding, obstruction, and/or sepsis. Diverticulosis is thought to result from increased intracolonic pressures, while diverticulitis is an inflammatory condition consequent to sepsis

Current thinking is that a high-fiber diet, by promoting soft, bulky stools that pass more quickly, protects against diverticular disease, and this has been supported in clinical research.